Shell lamp



H. CARDON SHELL LAMP March 28, 1933.

Filed Oct. 1, 1950 Patented Mar. 28, 19 33 UNETED STATES HENRY GARDON, HILLSDALE, NEW JERSEY SHELL LAMP Application filed October 1, 1930. Serial 110,485,595.

This invention relates to lamps and in particular to shades for use in connection therewith which are made from natural sea shells.

, A particular object of my invention is to provide a lamp of the character referred to which will bring out the natural beauty and coloring of the shells and provide a light diffusing medium for use as a shade which will be ornamental and will enhance the appearance of the lamp.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a lamp employing sea shells for a shade, means whereby the shells may be opened up for the replacement of the illuminating bulb.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bracket which may be secured to any standard lamp and which willpermit the mounting of shells. over any light bulb .whether employed in connection with a wall bracket, drop light or lamp having a base for use on a desk or other article of furniture.

A still further and equally important object of my invention is the provision of a shade or shell holding bracket which may be made up at small cost so that shells of various sizes may be accommodated therein, and

a one which will not detract from the appearance of the shells; can be used for mounting the shells very close to the lamp socket, will accommodate shells of various sizes and formation and will hold the shells securely in position.

' WVith these and other objects in view, my invention comprises the construction, com bination and arrangement of the various parts hereinafter described, and then partic- 49 ularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing: i

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a shell lamp constructed in accordance with my invention.

lamp as illustrated in Figure 1, the base por- Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the the line 33 of Figure 2 and shows the relative arrangement of the shell'holding brackets or parts, and I 1 Figure is an enlarged section taken on the line 4+4: of Figure 1 and shows the method of pivotally supporting the shellfi'om the clamping ring. I

Referring to thedrawing indetail, 5 indicates a lamp base of the usual form to which is connected the extension cord 6 and light plug 7. The lamp base may be ornamented in any suitable manner or, instead of a lamp base, my invention may be applied to a drop light, Wall light or in anyother light employing an electric bulb and socket. The base 5 is provided with the socket 8 in which is disposed in the usual manner, the illuminating light bulb 9. V The shells employed; in my'const'ruction are preferably of thescalloped type and delicately tinted so that the light diffused will be bright, yet subdued and the natural beau-' ty of the shells will be brought out, thus providing a'lamp that is highly ornamental.

The shells are so paired that asmall one 10 and a large one 11 are employed togetherso that the smaller one 10 fits within the larger one 11 to form a cover or receptacle for the light bulb 9 although this relative size of the shellsis not necessary in order to bring out the effect desired. 'The shells in their natural state are provided with the extensions 12 which are flat and provide a place forfastening the" bottom ofthe shells to the hinge bracket 13."

In view ofthe' fact that the construction of the lamp is identical: at both sides and for both shells, explanation of one side only will be given and referring particularly toFigures 3 and 4:, it will be noted that the: socket 8 holds the two halves 14 and 15 of a clamp ring constructiomth'e parts being secured together through the medium of the holding screws 15 A. The construction of the ring 9 1e and its parts are identical to the construc tion of the ring 15 which is providedat its center with a hingeeye 16in which [is disposed a hinge pin 17. 1

To the extended inner face portions 12 of the shell is connectedthrou h1 h Screws.

bolts 24, the hinge bracket 13 provided with depending sleeves 21 which fit about the hinge pin 17. This bracket has adjustably threaded therein the adjusting screw 19, the head of which engages the bulb socket 8 to limit the swinging movement of the shell.

The bracket is formed to provide at its ends as at 25 and 26 inwardly bent hooks for holdingthe ends of tension springs 27 and 28. The opposite ends of the springs are connected to the companion hooks of the hinge bracket at the opposite side of the lamp. It will be noted that the ring and brack et 13 are each punched from a. single piece of metal and the opposite ring portion 14 and its bracket are identically the same so that it is only necessary to manufacture two separate pieces and thus the cost of manufacturing the lamp is materially reduced.

The screws 15-A may be relatively adjusted so that deformed shells may be mounted in substantially parallel relation. and may 7 be also adjusted relatively to the bulb and its support.

It is evident that the center of rotation of the shells is about the hinge pins 17 and the springs 27 and 28 being disposed above the point of rotation will tend todraw the shells together until they meet and in order to prevent theirbreaking when they do come into contact. use is made of the adjusting screws 19 which engages the socket and prevents the shells from coming'into forcible contact with each other along their upper, scalloped edges.

' It is evident that by adjusting the screws 19, the closing movement of each of the shells may beadiusted independently;

It is evident also that any type of shell may be employed and the shells against the action of the springs 28 and 27 maybe opened up to the position shown in outlinein Figure 2 to permit removal or replacement of the bulb 9. r

' It is evident, therefore, that I have provided a unique shell lamp construction. which permits'of attachment to any type of lamp, the shell shade which diffuses the light and displays the natural beauty of the shell.

My invention is not to be restricted to the precise details of construction shown since various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing the ad vantages derived from its use.

'- -What I claim is r 1 The combination with a lamp comprising a light bulb. support, of separable, semi-circular clamp'rings arranged to be positioned about said support, means for securing the clamp rings together, an upstanding hinge eye formed on each of said rings, a hinge pinin'each of the eyes, a bracket pivoted on each ofsaid pins, a decorative translucent shade on each ofsaid brackets, one of said shades V fitting partly within the other shade to sub- HENRY CARDON. 

